Qatar Facts.

Important and Interesting Facts about Qatar

Qatar lies in the Middle East and belongs to the Asian continent.

Qatar (pronounced KAH-ter) occupies a small peninsula that extends into the Persian Gulf from the east side of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is to the west and the United Arab Emirates to the south. The country is mainly barren.

Qatar is the biggest exporter of natural gas in the world, has the fastest growing economy in the world and has the highest per capita income than any country in the world. This means it is very, very, very wealthy.

The Pearl is a luxury development built on an artificial island shaped like a string of pearls on the edge of Doha. It was built on top of an old pearl diving site and currently is a great place for people to dine, socialize, shop for luxury apparel or products, or to enjoy a stroll along the marina.

One of the most popular attractions amongst tourists visiting Qatar is the Aspire Academy Sports Dome in Doha. Spanning for 290,000 square miles, this is actually one of the largest sports domes in the entire world. Within this super dome there is a 200 meter track, an Olympic-sized pool and diving pool, a full-length football field, squash courts and several more areas available or a variety of sports as well.

The temperature in Qatar averages at 13 degrees (7 degrees minimum) in winter, averages at 41 degrees (50 degrees max) in the summer, and receives only 70mm of rain per year.

Qatar is served by the Doha International Airport. The New Doha International Airport is scheduled to start operating on December 12, 2012. Karwa is the public metered taxi service.

Oil and Gas is the main source of revenue for the State of Qatar. With the 3rd largest proven gas reserves.

The highest point in the country, Tuwayyir al Hamir, peaks at 338 feet.

The Qatar Tourism Authority says that the most pleasant weather is generally from October to May.

Cool, Funny, and Fun Facts about Qatar

Although Qatar is originally a desert, it has a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Weekends in Qatar fall on Fridays and Saturdays. Most stores are usually closed on Friday mornings until the Jumu’ah afternoon prayer. Most stores and other places begin to open for business around 1.30pm.

It is more expensive to buy 2 cappuccino’s in Starbucks, than to fill a Hummer with a tank full of petrol in Qatar, because petrol is so cheap.

Qatari’s are so wealthy, that in winter they burn 500 riyal ($137) notes for kindling.

Even though public drunkenness and open displays of drinking alcohol are forbidden in Qatar, the state pledges to create reserved drinking spaces throughout the for the World Cup 2022 games.

Qatar’s population is typically 80% foreign. At any given time, there are at least 10, 000 U.S. citizens who reside there.

Qatar is roughly the size of Connecticut.

There is no daylight savings time adjustment in Qatar.

US passport holders can get a 30 day visit visa at the Doha International Airport for $28.

In Qatar the work week is from Sunday-Thursday.

Historical and Cultural Facts about Qatar

The earliest known evidence of human habitation in Qatar dates back to the 4thcentury BC from which artifacts such as rock inscriptions, rock carvings, flint spearheads and even pottery which were unearthed by the Danish, British and the French expeditions between 1965 and 1976.

Qatar was once controlled by the sheikhs of Bahrain, but in 1867, war broke out between the people and their absentee rulers. To keep the peace in the Persian Gulf, the British installed Muhammad ibn Thani al-Thani, head of a leading Qatari family, as the region’s ruler.

Qatar permitted the international forces to use Qatar as a base during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Qatar introduced its first constitution on June 9, 2005. It guarantees freedom of expression, assembly, and religion and calls for a 45-seat parliament.

Oil was discovered in the 1940s, bringing wealth to the country in the 1950s and 1960s. About 85% of Qatar’s income from exports comes from oil.

About 40% of the population are Arabs, 18% are Pakistanis, 18% are Indians, 10% Iranians, and 14% from other ethnic backgrounds. The indigenous population (about

100,000) descends from Bedouin tribes that migrated to Qatar during the 1700s.

When in Doha, dress modestly as a sign of respect to local customs and culture. Both women and men should refrain from wearing clothes that go above their knees and women should preferably cover their arms.

Football/soccer is one of Qatar’s most popular sports. You can catch a game at most times during the year or visit the many stadiums, which are interesting to explore on their own as well.

Karak tea is one of the most popular beverages among local and expatriate residents alike in Qatar. A number of eateries serve this delicious, milky tea, which is infused with cardamom and ginger in some places.

The style of dress in Qatar is more western than conservative. However, items that bear too much skin, such as short skirts, are looked down upon.